Land leveler



Dec. 15, 1953 Filed June 10, 1948 FIG. I

.1, G. LINDEMAN ETAL LAND LEVELER 10 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORS. JESSE G. LINDEMA DS J. G. LINDEMAN ETAL Dec. 15, 1953 LAND LEVELER l0 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June 10, 1948 IN VEN TORS. JESSE G. LINDEMAN CURTIS v. EDWARDS I BY 2 ATTZNEYs ec. 15, 1953 J. G. LINDEMAN ETAL 2,662,314

LAND LEVELER Filed June 10, 1948 10 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIG. 6

' INVENTORS. I

JESSE G. LINDEMAN CURTIS v. EDWARDS di ww A ORNEYS Dec, 15, 1953 J. G. LINDEMAN ET AL LAND LEVELER 10 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed June 10, 1948 fl I an:

INVENTORS. JESSE G. LINDEMAN CURTIS V. EDWARDS ec. 15, 1953 J. G. LINDEMAN ET AL 2,662,314

' LAND LEVEL-ER Filed June 10, 1948 1o Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTORS JESSE G. LINDEMAN CURTIS v. EDWARDS w ec. 15, 1953 J. G. LINDEMAN ETAL LAND LEVELER 1O Sheets-Sheet '7 Filed June 10, 1948 we we. as

Dec. 15, 1953 JJG. LINDEMAN ETAL 2,662,314

LAND LEVELER Filed June 10, 1948 10 Sheets-Sheet 8 INVENTORS. JESSE G. LINDEMAN CURTIS V. EDWARDS AT RNEYS ii 15, 1953 J. G. LINDEMAN ETAL 2,662,314

LAND LEVELER Filed June 10, 1948 10 Sheets-Sheet 9 INVENTORS. JESSE G. LINDEMAN CURTIS V. EDWARDS ATTO NEYS BY 6 M? Filed June 10, 1948 BEBE-35f- J. G. LINDEMAN ETAL LAND LEVELER 10 sheet-sneet 1o III/II INVENTORS. JESSE G. LINDEMAN CURTIS V. EDWARDS AT I (SRNEYS Patented Dec. '15, 1953 LAND LEVELER Jesse G. Lindeman and Curtis V.

Edwards,

Yakima, Wash., assignors to Deere & Company, Moline, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application June 10, 1948, Serial No. 32,126

10 Claims. 1

The present invention relates to land levelers and particularly to large capacity levelers, particularly adapted for leveling or smoothing land, especially where irrigation is practiced.

The object and general nature of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved land leveler including frame means supported at its front and rear ends and having a transverse smoothing or leveling blade located well toward the rear of the frame means, preferably at a point forward of the rear end of the leveler a distance equal to approximately one-quarter of the length of the frame.

Another important feature of the present invention is the provision of a wheel supporting land leveler carried at its front end on a single generally centrally located wheel means and at its rear end on a pair of laterally spaced wheel units, thereby providing a three point suspension which eliminates side tilting of the scraper blade such as that which occurs when conventional four wheel levelers are used on uneven ground, the laterally spaced wheel units being disposed rearwardly of the blade and therefore situated so as to run over only leveled ground.

Another important feature of the present invention is the provision of a land leveler carried at its front end on a caster wheel unit and at its rear end on a pair of laterally spaced wheel units which are steered from the tractor that pulls the implement. Another feature of this invention is the provision of a new and improved blade construction, new and improved means for adjusting the blade and holding the same in selected positions, and new and improved means for indicating to the operator the position of the blade relative to the frame. This latter feature is of particular importance where the leveling blade is located well toward the rear of the machine.

A further and important feature of the present invention is the provision of new and improved frame construction in which the frame is made of separable parts but which when connected are securely and firmly and rigidly held in connected relation, thereby providing a sturdy rigid support for the blade, yet when necessary to dismantle the leveler, as when shipping by truck or railway, the frame may be separated into component parts of relatively short lengths 2 following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side view of a tractor-propelled land leveling outfit in which certain features of the present invention have been incorporated;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the leveling outfit shown in Figure l;

Figure 3 is a plan view of another form of the present invention;

Figure 4 is a side View of the land leveler outfit shown in Figure 3;

Figures 5, 6 and 7 are fragmentary perspective views, taken at an enlarged scale, showing the details of the frame construction, wheel mountings and associated parts;

Figure 8 is a perspective view similar to Figure 6 showing the leveling blade in a lowered position and provided with extensions which, in Figure 6, are folded backwardly into inoperative position;

Figure 9 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the hitch connection between the front end of the frame and the propelling tractor and certain features of the actuating means and connections whereby the rear wheel units of the leveler are steered by the turning of the tractor that propels the machine;

Figure 10 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of the hitch parts at the forward end of the tongue or pull of the leveler;

Figure 11 is a side view of the hitch details shown in Figure 10;

Figure 12 is an enlarged detail view of the blade position indicating mechanism;

Figure 13 is a side view of the parts shown in Figure 12;

Figure 14 is an enlarged detail view of one of the breakaway connections between two separable parts of the leveler frame;

Figure 15 is a plan view of the connection shown in Figure 14;

Figure 16 is a sectional view taken through one of the mating parts of one of the breakaway connections shown in Figures 14 and 15.

Figures 17 and 18 are fragmentary perspective views showing the frame parts disassembled.

Figure 19 is an enlarged fragmentary side view showing the extension blade support and associated parts in folded position.

Referring now to the drawings, particularly Figures 1 and 2, the land leveling machine of this form of the invention is indicated in its entirety by the reference numeral I and is connected by hitch means 2 to a tractor, indicated in its entirety by the reference numeral 3. The

latter may be of any suitable construction but preferably includes a wheel supported frame which carries a source of power, such as an internal combustion engine 6 which drives traction wheels I. The tractor 3 also includes a drawbar member 8 to which turning bar 9, referred to later, is rigidly connected.

The land leveler machine I comprises a generally elongated frame I2 made up of a pair of longitudinally extending bars 13 and I4 which are connected together by suitable cross members I5 and diagonal braces I6 to form a rigid sturdy framework. The rear ends of the side bars I3 and I4 are connected to vertical sleeve members I8 to which a rear cross member I9 is rigidly secured. Mounted on each of the vertical sleeves I8 is a spindle 2| on the lower end of which a pair of closely spaced supporting wheels 22 are journaled. Each spindle, immediately below the associated sleeve I8, carries a sprocket over which a section of chain, as indicated at 23, is trained, the two ends of the two chains 23 being interconnected by links 24 whereby both sets of wheels 22 may be turned substantially the same amount. The left hand spindle 2I carries a steering arm 26 which is connected by a long forwardly extending link 21 to a bell crank 28 pivotally mounted at 29 on a bracket 3I carried by the front end of the frame. The crank 28 is connected by a steering link 32 to the turning arm 9 on the tractor, as best shown in Figure 2. The front end of the leveler frame 2 is supported on a caster wheel unit 35 which is disposed centrally at the front end of the frame, and the hitch member 2 comprises a rigid part 36 hingedly connected at its rear end to the front end of the frame I2 by any suitable means, such as a transverse hitch pin 37, carried in lugs or the like fixed to the leveler frame. By virtue of the hinged connection 31, the hitch member 2 can swing vertically relative to the leveler frame but is prevented from pivoting laterally. However, the front end of the hitch member 2 is pivotally connected, as at 38, to the drawbar 8 of the tractor. Therefore, when the tractor 3 is steered to one side or the other the turning bar 9 is swung in one direction or the other relative to the hitch pivot 38, thereby exerting a thrust or pull through the rod or link 32 against the crank 28. By this means, the latter is shifted generally in a fore and aft direction to exert a pull or a thrust through the long link 21, thus acting through the steering arm 26 to turn both of the rear sets of wheels 22. This materially facilitates a steering of the leveler, as when making turns or the like.

The side members I3 and I4 of the frame I 2 are each made up of upper and lower bars 4| and 42 which are suitably interconnected by vertical and diagonal struts 43 and 44. At the front end of the frame I2 the latter carries an arched cross bar 45 which is reenforced by diagonal bars 46 and 41 and associated bracing. These parts form a rigid support for a sleeve 48 in which is disposed a spindle on the lower end of which the wheels 35 are journaled.

A blade unit 50 is carried by the frame I2 generally intermediate the ends thereof. The unit 50 includes a blade or bowl 5| to which are rigidly interconnected blade arms 52 and 53. The arms 52 and 53 are pivotally connected, as at 54, to brackets 55 fixed to the lower frame bar 42 at each side of the frame I2. The unit 50 is raised and lowered by means of a bell crank 56 which comprises a lifting arm 51 connected by means of a link 58 to the rear portion of the blade unit 50, a shaft 59 to which the lifting arm 51 is fixed, and a depending arm 6| fixed at its upper end to the shaft 59. The latter is mounted for rocking movement by bearings 62 carried by the upper side frame members 4| in any suitable manner. The arm (H is connected to the piston 63 of a hydraulic ram or jack unit 64 which receives fluid under pressure through a line 65 that extends forwardly to a source of hydraulic power (not shown) on the tractor and controlled from the tractor. The rear end of the ram unit 64 is pivotally connected to a heavy bracket 66 carried by the right hand side frame unit-I3.

The elongated steering link 21 is supported at two or more points on the frame l2 by means of guide sleeves or spindles 68 and 69, best shown in Figure 2.

The position of the blade unit 50 in operation is indicated in Figure l, which position is usually one or two inches, more or less, below the horizontal plane tangent to the lower portions of the supporting wheels 22 and 35, and changes in the position of the blade, either the working position or the raising and lowering of the blade into and out of transport position, may be effected by control of the fluid directed under pressure to the ram unit 64. In order that the operator may know definitely the position of the blade 50 relative to the supporting frame I2, we have provided a dial unit at the front of the frame I2. The unit 80 comprises a dial BI supported by a frame 82 or the like carried by the frame bars 4I adjacent the front end of the frame. The frame 82 also serves as a support for the front end of a longitudinally extending shaft 83, the front end of which projects forwardly of the dial 8I and carries a swingable indicator hand 84. The rear end of the shaft 83 is supported in any suitable way, as by one or more lugs 85 on the frame I 2, and is connected to be rocked when the blade 50 is raised or lowered by an arm 86 on the rear end of the shaft 33 connected by a link 81 to an arm 88 on the shaft 59, as best shown in Figure 2. Any suitable means for operating the indicating hand 84 may be provided, as desired.

Referring now to the form of the invention shown in Figure 3 et seq., the frame of the land leveler is indicated in its entirety by the reference numeral I00 and, as best shown in Figures 3 and 4, is carried on a forward centrally disposed wheel means IilI and a pair of laterally spaced rear wheel means I82 and I93. Situated approximately three quarters of the total length of the frame rearwardly of the front end thereof is a transversely disposed blade unit I04 movably connected with the frame I98. The frame I00 is an elongated structure that, in one form of the invention, is approximately fifty feet in length. In order, therefore, to facilitate the manufacture, assembly and dismantling of the machine for shipment and transport, we have made up the frame unit I89 in a plurality of separable sections connected together by a novel form of clamping means which, while providing a rigid sturdy construction when the sections are connected together, nevertheless provides for a ready disassembly and dismantling of the frame sections when desired. This construction is shown in Figures 14-18 and Will be referred to later in detail.

The forward or caster wheel section of the main frame IUD is indicated by the reference numeral II (Figures and 17) and comprises three arcuate frame pipes III, H2 and H3. The frame member II is disposed in a horizontal plane, and secured as by welding to the rear lugs thereof is the arcuate pipe section I I3 which is disposed generally in a vertical plane. The central portion of the arcuate member II 3 is preferably in the form of a vertical sleeve section II in which a spindle II5 is mounted for rotation about a vertical axis, and the forward portion of the sleeve H4 is secured, as by welding, to the rear portion of the third or central arcuate frame section H2, The forward end of the section I I2 is secured by welding or the like to the forward or central portion of the horizontal arcuate frame member II I. A pair of laterally spaced lugs I2I are secured, as by welding, to the front side of the central portion of the arcuate frame member III and, as best shown in Figures 5 and 9, the two lugs I2I hingedly receive the rear end of a hitch connection in the form of a pole or tongue which is indicated in Figure 9 in its entirety by the reference numeral I22. The pole I22 is preferably in the form of a pipe member I23 to the rear end of which a transverse yoke section I2I is welded, the yoke section I24 having rearwardly directed apertured ears I25 which receive the hinge pins I26 connecting the yoke to the two lugs I2I at the forward end of the frame. The yoke IEd is braced by a pair of diagonal straps I21 welded to the pipe I23 and the laterally outer portions of the yoke I24. A forward yoke i29 is secured, as by welding, to the forward end of the pole pipe I23 and includes upper and lower sections I3I and I32 (Figure ll) which are apertured to receive a pin I33 on which a laterally swingable hitch member IE4 is swingably mounted.

The member I34 is preferably in the form of a casting having upper and lower sections I35 and I36 which are apertured to receive the pivot pin I33, and the sections I35 and I 36 are spaced apart so as to receive therebetween a sprocket wheel I38. The sprocket I38 is connected to move with the laterally swingable hitch member IBA by means of a bolt I39 that extends downwardly through apertured bosses I4I carried by or formed on the member I3 and through the adjacent portions of the sprocket I38. The forward part of the laterally swingable hitch member I3 3 is formed as a socket which faces forwardly and receives a hitch member I45, which may be the drawbar of a tractor, or connected directly to the drawbar of a tractor, such as to the drawbar 8 of the tractor 3 shown in Figures 1 and 2. The rear end of the drawbar strap I45 is apertured to receive a hitch pin I46, and the sides of the socket, which are indicated by the reference character S in Figure 10, are provided with shims I41, fastened in place by bolts I48, whereby when the tractor is turned relative to the implement the laterally swingable hitch member I35 swings laterally on its pivotal connection I33. The rear end of the tractor drawbar I45 is received by the bolt I46 in the socket S with sumcient looseness to permit a limited amount of up and down swinging of the member I45 relative to the laterally swingable hitch member I34. When the tractor is turned laterally the member IE4 is caused to swing laterally about the pivot I33, carrying with it the sprocket I38. The latter is connected to chains and other linkages with the rear wheel unitsIIIZ and IEIS of the machine to steer the rear wheels, as will be explained in detail later.

The forward frame unit, which is connected to the rear portion of the caster wheel frame unit I II), is indicated in its entirety by the reference numeral I55 and comprises a right hand frame side I56 and a left hand frame side I51, which are substantially identical one with the other except that one is right hand and the other is left hand. The right hand frame side member I56 comprises an upper pipe member I6I and a lower pipe member I62 rigidly interconnected by a pair of vertical struts I63 andI64 and a diagonal brace I30, these parts beingv welded together or otherwise firmly and rigidly interconnected. The left hand side frame member I5! is of substantially the same construction and hence the same reference numerals have been used for corresponding members. At their forward ends each of the lower frame pipes I62 is connected to the rear end portion of the horizontal arcuate member I II (Figure 5) by quick detachable connections which will now be described. As shown in Figure 14, a connector unit I55 i disposed between the forward end of the frame pipe member I 62 and the rear end II Ia of the horizontal arcuate frame member III (see Figure 5) at that side of the tractor. Preferably, each connector unit I65 includes a lug member IE8 and a support section I69, which latter section is secured, as by welding, to the forward end of the right hand frame pipe I62, as best shown in Figure 14. The lug I83 is provided with a pair of outwardly facing sockets Ill and I12 and adjacent thereto a pair of openings I13 and I14. Ihe latter openings are adapted to receive bolts I15 and I15, the heads of which are disposed non-rotatably in the openings I13 and I14. The lower or threaded ends of the bolts I15 and. I16 are extended through the corresponding openings in a similarly shaped interlocking clamp member I89 which is secured, as by welding, to the right hand end part I56 of the forward frame member III. Preferably, the two interlocking members I58 and I88 are identical, each of such members having a pair of lugs I3I and I82 which are shaped to seat in the sockets Ill and I12 of the associated connecting member, best indicated in Figure 14. As will be seen from this figure, the sockets III and I12 and corresponding lugs I3I and I82 are generally wedge shaped so that when the bolts I15 and H5 are tightened the two clamping parts its and I88 are rigidly and positively held in connected relation but without stressing the bolts in shear or relying on the belts in any way other than in tension for holding the wedge-shaped lugs I8I and I82 in the correspondingly formed sockets HI and I12. However, by loosening or removing the bolts I15 and I15 the two parts I5! and IBG, together with the associated frame members, may readily and quickly be separated when dismantling or disassembling the frame for transport or other purposes. The present invention makes use of the above described mating clamping members I 58 and ltd at a number of points in the frame as will appear from the following description, particularly in connection with Figures 17 and 18.

In a similar way the front end of the left hand frame bar I52 connected to the end I 85 of the forward frame member I II opposite the end I66. The central portion of the vertical arched member IE3 is provided with a pair of extensions I86 and I8? (Figure 1'!) to receive the associated connectors I555 y which the two upper frame bars ISI at each side of the machine are detachably connected to the forward or caster wheel section H of the frame. The two forward side frame sections I56 and I51 are interconnected by four cross members I9I, I92, I93 and I94. The cross member I9I is connected by clamping connectors I65 to the rearward portions of the right and left hand upper frame pipes ISI, and the lower cross brace I92 is fastened by connectors I65 to the right and left hand lower frame pipes I62, preferably adjacent the vertical struts I63. Similarly, the forward cross members I93 and I94 are fastened by connectors I65 to the upper and lower right and left hand frame pipes I6I and The front wheel unit IOI comprises a pair of closely spaced pneumatic tired wheels I96 mounted at the lower end of a spindle member I91 of which the spindle section II mentioned above is a part. The spindle section H5 is journaled by suitable bearing means in the sleeve I I4 that forms a part of the caster wheel frame unit IIO. In order to prevent undesirable lateral oscillations of the wheel unit IOI in operation, a snubbing brake I93 is provided. The brake I98 includes a brake band I99 anchored to a bracket 20I carried by the frame unit II9 rearwardly of the sleeve II4. l'he member I99 is in the form of an external contracting brake band, and the end portions of the latter are pressed against a drum 202 that is fixed to the spindle H5 by any suitable means. The brake band is pressed against the drum 202 by a spring 263 acting against an adjustable anchoring bolt 204 carried by a bracket 206 on the frame unit I i0. The brake band I09 is adjusted to such degree as to prevent the front wheels I95 from oscillating laterally but the brake does not interfere with the turning of the wheel unit when the front end of the leveler is drawn toward one side or the other.

The rear frame section of the main frame I00 is indicated in its entirety by the reference numeral 2 I5 (Figures 8 and 18), and is the section which carries the transverse blade unit I04. The rear frame section includes a left hand side frame unit H9 and a right hand side frame 220. Each side frame unit includes a lower frame pipe 22I and a upper frame pipe 222 suitably connected together by vertical struts 223 and a plurality of diagonal braces 224, the parts being preferably welded together. The rear end of the upper frame pipe 222 is bent downwardly, as best shown in Figure '7, to a point adjacent the rear end of the lower frame pipe 22!. The rear ends of the two members 22I and 222 are Welded to a vertical sleeve 228 in which the upper end 221 of a spindle member 228 is mounted for rotation. Each rear set of ground wheels I02 and I03 is mounted for rotation on the lower end of the associated spindle member 228. The right and left hand rear frame side sections are substantially identical, except that one is right hand and the other is left hand, and hence the same reference numerals have been used for corresponding parts. The rear ends of the upper and lower frame parts 22I and 222 at the left side of the implement are welded to the left hand spindle-receiving sleeve 226, and the left hand spindle 228 is mounted for rotation in the left hand sleeve 226. The two sleeves 226 are provided with laterally inwardly directed upper and lower lugs 23I (Figure 18), and the two sleeve sections 226 are rigidly interconnected by means of a transversely disposed channel member 233, the flanges of which are bolted, as at 234, to the lugs 23I.

The two side frame sections 2I9 and 220 are interconnected by four detachable cross braces 24I, 242, 243 and 244, each of the cross braces 24I244 having a connector I65 at its outer end by which each member is connected to the upper and lower frame pipes 22I and 222. A diagonal reenforcing brace 246 is welded to and connects the rear pair of cross members MI and 242, and a similar diagonal member 248 connects the two forward cross bars 243 and 244. At each side of the leveler the front and rear side frames are connected by a diagonal bar 249 attachable by connectors I65 to struts I63 and 223, as best shown in Figure 4. The rear portion of the frame unit 2 I 5 is reenforced by a pair of diagonal members 25I and 252. The member 25I is connected at its rear end by a connector I65 to the left hand spindle sleeve 226 and at its forward end the diagonal member 25I is seciu'ed by a connector I05 to the lower right hand side frame pipe 22I adjacent the associated rear vertical strut 223. Similarly, the other diagonal member 252 is fastened by a connector I65 to the right hand spindle sleeve 226, the member 252 extending laterally and forwardly where it is fastened by a connector I 65 to the upper side frame member 222 adjacent the upper end of the left hand rear vertical strut 223 and the adjacent rear upper cross bar 24!.

The rear wheel units I02 and I03 are turned or steered in accordance with lateral swinging of the hitch pole I23 relative to the front end of the frame I00. To this end, a section of chain 21I (Figure 9) is trained around the sprocket I38 and the left end of the chain 21I is connected to a cable 212 that extends rearwardly along the pole I23 and over the lower of a pair of sheaves 214 which are mounted on a bracket 216 carried by the yoke I24, as best shown in Figure 5. From the lower sheave 214 the cable 212 extends rearwardly around the right hand side of the machine, being supported by a pair of idler shafts 211 carried by the horizontal arched member III. Adjacent the rear end of the leveler, on the right side thereof, the cable 212 extends through a pair of guide thimbles 218 and 219 (Figure 8) and at its rear end the cable 212 is connected by an adjustable turnbuckle 28I to the right end of a section of chain 282. as shown in Figure '1. The chain 282 is trained over a sprocket 283 that is fixed to the spindle 221, and the end of the chain 282 opposite the turnbuckle 28I is connected by a turnbuckle 283 with the adjacent end of a second chain section 284 which is trained over a sprocket 285 that is fixed to the left hand spindle 228. A cable 281 (Figure 7) is connected to the forward end of the chain section 284, the cable 281 being supported along the left hand side of the ma.- chine in substantially the same way as the cable 212 is supported along the right hand side of the machine. At its forward end (Figure 5) the cable 281 is trained around a pair of idlers 288 and around the upper of the sheaves 214 from whence the cable 281 extends forwardly along the right side of the pole I23 and is connected to the end of the chain section 21I opposite the cable 212. Thus, whenever the laterally swingable hitch member I34 is swung laterally relative to the pole I23, a pull is exerted through one or the other of the cables just described to cause the rear sprockets 283 and 285 (Figure 7) to turn the rear Wheel spindles 228 in one direction or the other. The relation between the two rear wheel units may be adjusted as desired by changing the turnbuckles 28I and 288 together with the corresponding turnbuckle on the left hand side of the leveler. Similarly, adjusting the turnbuckles serves to adjust the tension in the cables 212 and 28! and the associated chain sections.

The working element of the land leveler comprises the blade unit I03 referred to briefly above. The unit m4 comprises a bowl which is made up of a rear plate 33!, two side plates 332 and 333, a transverse stifiener 305, and a downwardly and forwardly angled cutting blade 304 secured in position by any suitable means. The upper portions of the side members 302 and 303 are extended, as indicated at 333 and 331, to form forwardly disposed arms which are apertured to receive pivot pins 338 by which the arms are pivotally connected to brackets 3H welded, respectively, to the inner sides of lower frame pipes 22!. The rear portions of the side plates 332 and 303 are held in position laterally relative to the frame by rub plates 3I3 welded or otherwise fixed in the proper position to the lower frame members 22 I.

As best shown in Figure 8, the bowl or blade unit I03 may be provided with extension blade units, one at each end of the main blade unit, as indicated by the reference numeral 323. Each of the extension units includes a back plate 32!, a side plate 322, and a cutting blade 323, which construction may be similar to the corresponding parts of the main blade unit I04. As best shown in Figure 6, the side plates 332 and 303 of the main blade unit are extended rearwardly beyond the back plate 30!. The rear portion of each extended section is provided with one or more pairs of sleeves 325 which receive and support a hinge pin 32 6. The adjacent portion of the associated extension blade unit 323 is provided with similar sleeves 323 which receive the pin 323 whereby each unit 323 is hingedly connected with the adjacent end of the main blade unit I34. The side plate 322 of each extension unit 323 is similarly hinged to the associated back plate 32!, as by a hinge pin 33! and associated sleeves 332 and 333 formed on the adjacent edges of the two plates 32! and 322. Preferably, at the inner end the back plate 32! carries a vertical stiffener 335 (Figures 6 and 19) which at its rear edge carries the hinge sleeves 328, and at its outermost end the back plate 32! carries a vertical stiffener 335, Figure 19, which at its forward edge is welded to the outer edge of the back plate 32! and at its rear edge carries the hinge sleeves 332. The end plate 322 is stiffened by an angle 331, as best shown in Figure 8. Along the upper portion of the wing extension 323 the two stiffener sections 335 and 336 are joined by a transversely disposed and downwardly angled plate 338 (Figure 19). Secured to the rearward face of each back plate 32! and the adjacent portion of the transverse wing blade stiffener 338 is a lift cam 34!) which comprises an upper member 34! and a lower curved member 342 suitably secured together at their outer ends, as by welding, and suitably connected at their inner ends respectively to the back plate 32! and the stiffener 333. A pair of apertured lugs 344 is fixed to the outer edge portion of the back plate 32! generally midway between the upper and lower edges thereof. The lugs 334 are spaced apart vertically so as to receive therebetween a lug 345 carried on the pivoted outer side plate 322. The lug 345 is also apertured, and when the wing extension 320 is in operating position, as shown in Figure 8,

the lug 345 is disposed in between the spaced lugs 324'. with their openings in alignment and in a position to receive the hook end 341 (Figure 6) of a diagonal strut member 338 which at its forward end is pivotally connected to a lug 35! carried on a bracket 352 that is welded to the associated lower frame pipe 22! in alignment with the associated pivot 338. Thus, the diagonal strut 343 holds the wing 329 in position.

When it is desired to reduce the width of cut, the two wing extensions 320 are folded back substantially as shown in Figure 6. In order to accomplish this, the hook end 341 of each diagonal strut 338 is disengaged from the lugs 344 and 325 and swung upwardly to an idle position where the hook 33! may be engaged in a loop 353 fixed to an adjacent frame diagonal 224. Each of the wing extensions or blade extensions 323 is adapted to be raised upwardly relative to the main blade unit mt when the extension is swung around rearwardly into an inoperative position. To accomplish this, first the outermost side plate 322 of each blade extension is folded rearwardly over against the back of the extension unit, and then each unit is swung rearwardly over against the rear side of the main blade or bowl unit I04. The parts are so arranged that when the blade or wing extension 323 is swung rearwardly and then laterally inwardly into the position shown in Figure 6, the lower curved or angled member 342 of the cam unit 336 on the blade extension rides up onto the rear edge of the transverse bowl stiffener 305, thus serving to lift the entire unit 320 upwardly relative to the main blade unit so that the cutting blade 223 is raised in a position out of contact with the ground and above the level of the main blade 334. When the cam member 340 acts against the main blade unit to raise the wing or extension unit 320, the latter is shifted upwardly along the hinge pin 326, there being sufficient clearance between adjacent sleeves 325 and 328 to accommodate this action. After both wings have been folded rearwardly into the position shown generally in Figure 6, the units may be held in folded position by means of a pair of chains 356 anchored to a clip 35'! carried by the main bowl back plate 30! and engageable in slots 363 formed in the adjacent portion of the outer plate 322.

For raising and lowering the blade units I34 and 320, we provide a cross shaft 3l3 rockingly mounted in a pair of brackets 373 that are fixed to the upper frame members 222. An arm 38! is fixed to each end of the rockshaft 3'15 and at its lower end is pivotally connected, as by a pin 382, to the upper end of a manually adjustable turnbuckle link unit 383 which at its lower end is connected with a pivot pin or the like carried by a pair of apertured lugs 385 fixed, as by welding, to the back side of the main blade plate 233i. An arm 386 (Figure 8), preferably formed integrally with one of the lift arms 38!, is carried by the rockshaft 375 and is pivotally connected to the rear end of a longitudinally exending lift pipe 38! which extends longitudinally of the frame forwardly and at its forward end is connected by a swivel 338 (Figure 5) to the rear end of the piston rod of a hydraulically operated power lift cylinder unit 390. As best shown in Figure 6, the lift pipe 38? is swingably supported adjacent its central portion by a link member 393 which is pivoted at its lower end to a lug 394 on the pipe 38? and pivoted at its upper end to one of the cross bars of the frame,

such as the cross bar 243. The forwardmost end of the lift pipe 381' is supported in a tubular guide 395 carried by the front caster wheel frame unit H perferably being fastened to the vertically arched frame member H3, as best shown in Figure 5. The ram unit 390 may be of any suitable construction and preferably is of the double acting type, being adapted to exert a force in either direction and connected to a suitable controllable power lift unit on the tractor by a pair of hose lines 391 and 392. The forward end of the ram unit 390 is anchored, as by a quick detachable pin 394, to a bracket 395 fixed to the forwardmost portion of the horizontal arched frame member ill and anchored by an attaching member 396 to the adjacent portion of the central arched frame member H2.

In order to apprise the operator of the position of the leveling blade or blades, which are disposed well to the rear of the relatively elongated frame I00, we provide a, position indicator which is indicated in its entirety by the reference numeral 400 (Figure 5). The unit 400 includes a dial 40! fixed to a pair of attaching brackets 402. Each of the 'frame bars IGI carries a lug 403 (Figure 17) secured thereto, as by welding, and, when the frame is fully assembled, the brackets 402 may be bolted to the lugs 403. The brackets 402 are extended below the frame members IGl, as best shown in Figure 12, and carry rollers 404 at their lower ends. A length of chain 405 is trained over a sprocket 406 that is fixed to 'a shaft 401 rockably carried by the sector 40! and to which an indicator hand 408 is fixed One end of the chain 405 is connected to a cable 409 which extends downwardly alongside the associated support 402 and passes over the associated roller 4.04 and extended rearwardly where it is connected with a spring 4H that is anchored at its rear end to the adjacent frame bar l 6l or some other part of the frame. The other end of the chain 405 is connected by a cable 4l2 that extends downwardly alongside the other support 402 and. over the associated idler roller 404 whence the cable 4| 2 extends rearwardly and at its rear end isconnected by a clamp 4l3'or the like to the lift pipe 381. In this Way, when the hydraulic unit 390 is operated to raise or lower the blade, the correspond ing movement of the lift pipe 381 is indicated on the dial 40] by the position of the indicator hand 409. Generally, the parts are arranged so that when the lower cutting edge of, the blade or blades is disposed substantially exactlyin the plane of the lower ground contacting portions of the supporting wheels, the indicator hand 408 will be in a substantially vertical position, as shown in Figure 12. For easy readability, the dial plate 40| may be provided with openings 415 which serve as indicia with which the indicator hand 408 cooperates.

While we have shown and described above the preferred structure in which the principles of the present invention have been incorporated, it is to be understood that our invention is not to be limited to the particular detailsshown and described above, but that, in fact, widely different means may be employed in the practice of the broader aspects of our invention.

What we claim, therefore, and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A land leveler con' risin" an el m-ated frame, supporte at its ent n rea 'lr a transverse levelin" blade caniei b" ."ci'l for generally vertical ittovelnent into and out of operating position, an extension blade hingedly connected at its laterally inner end to each end of said leveling blade, a wing hingedlyconnected to the laterally outer edge of each extension blade and adapted to be swung into a forwardly disposed operating position orinto a position in back of the associated extension blade, locking means for holding each wing in operating position relative to the associated extension blade, each of said extension blades and said wings being adapted to be folded into' inoperative position in back of or extended substantially in alignment with said leveling blade, and means connectible between said frame and each of said locking means, when the latter hold said wings in forwardly extended position relative to the associated extension blades, for holding both the latter and said wings in operative position.

2. A land leveler comprising an elongated frame supported at its front and rear ends, a transverse leveling blade mounted on said frame for generally vertical movement relative thereto, a pair of extension blades hingedly connected with the end portions, respectively, of said leveling blade, each extension blade being swingable rearwardlyrelative to said leveling blade into a position rearwardly of the latter, means for holding said extension blades in inoperative position substantially against the rear side of said leveling blade, means acting between said leveling blade and said extension blades for raisin the latter, relative to'said leveling blade, when the extension blades are swung rearwardly into their inoperative position.

3. A land leveler comprising an elongated frame supported at its front and rear ends, a movably mounted transverse leveling blade connected with said frame for vertical movement relative thereto, a pair of blade extensions each hingedly connected at its laterally inner end. to the associated end portion of said leveling blade, an outer end plate hingedly connectedfto the outer portion of eachv blade extension, and, means for detachably holding said end plates in operative position,

4. The invention. set forth in claim .3, further characterized by said detachable plate holding means comprising lugs fixed to said extension blade and said end plate and having apertures adapted to be brought into registry when said end plate is in operating position, and a brace member'having an end insertable in said registering openings and connected with the leveler frame of theforwardpoint for holding saidblade extension in operating position.

5,, A land leveler comprising, an elongated frame, a, movably mounted transverse leveling blade connected with said frame for vertical movement relative thereto. a pair of blade extensions, means for hingedly connecting each blade extension at its laterally inner. end to the associated end portion of said'levelin blade for movement relative thereto about, agenerally vertical, axis spaced rearwardly of said blade, an outer end, plate hingedly connectedv to the outer portion of each blade extension, said, latter hinged connection being disposed rearwardly of the general plane of the blade extension. whereby each outer end platemay be swun into a position in back of the associated blade e tension, and said first hinr'ed connecting means being so constructed and arranged that said vertical axes thereo are space" rearward v of aid transerse levelin" blade a distance sufficent to accommodate the movement of each blade exten- 13 sion, together with its associated outer end plate in folded position thereagainst, into a position in back of said leveling blade.

6. A land leveler comprising an elongated frame, a movably mounted transverse leveling blade connected with said frame for vertical movement relative thereto, side members fixed to the ends of said leveling blade and each having a portion disposed rearwardly of said blade. a pair of blade extensions, each having at its laterally inner end a generally vertically disposed part fixed to and extending rearwardly from the inner end of the associated blade extension, hinge means connecting the rear edge portion of each of said vertically disposed blade extension parts and the rear edge portion of the associated leveling blade side member, each blade extension also having at its laterally outer end a second vertically disposed part fixed to and extending rearwardly from the laterally outer end of the associated blade extension, an end plate hingedly connected to the rear edge of each of said outer vertical parts, disconnectible means acting between each blade extension and the associated end plate forwardly of the hinge axis thereof for holding said end plates in forwardly extending position, and means for holding each of said extension blades in extended position.

7. A land leveler as set forth in claim 6, further characterized by said last mentioned means comprising apertured lug means on the forward side of each blade extension at the laterally outer end thereof, cooperating apertured lug means on the inner face of the associated end plate, one of said lug means including a pair of spaced apart lugs and the other lug means including a single lug disposable between said pair of lugs, a pin member disposable through the apertures of said lugs for holding the associated end plate in a forward position relative to the associated blade extension, and brace means acting between each pin member and said frame for holding the blade extensions in extended position.

8. A land leveler comprising an elongated frame, a movably mounted transverse leveling blade, end members secured to the ends of said blade and extending both forwardly and rearwardly thereof, pivot members connecting the forward ends of said end members with said frame, whereby said blade is connected with said frame for vertical movement relative thereto, a pair of blade extensions, rearwardly extending parts at the laterally inner ends of said extensions hingedly connected with the rear ends of said leveling blade end members, an end plate hingedly connected with the laterally outer end of each blade extension and swingable relative thereto between a forwardly extending position and a position in back of the associated blade extension, the latter and the end plate being swingable into a position behind said leveling blade, and means acting between each end plate, the associated blade extension and said 14 frame for holding said end plates and said blade extensions in extended position.

9. A land leveler comprising an elongated frame including a pair of generally laterally spaced apart, generally fore-and-aft extending frame sections, a movably mounted transverse leveling blade, means including laterally inwardly extending pivot members fixed to the laterally inner sides of said frame sections, respectively, and swingably connecting said leveling blade with said frame for vertical movement relative thereto, a pair of blade extensions each hingedly connected at its laterally inner end to the associated end portion of said leveling blade, a pair of laterally outwardly extending pivot members fixed to said frame sections, respectively, substantially in alignment with said laterally inwardly extending pivot members, and a brace member connected at its outer end to the outer end of the associated blade extension and at its inner end to the associated laterally outwardly extending pivot member for holding said blade extensions in extended position.

10. A land leveler comprising an elongated frame, a movably mounted transverse leveling blade, a pair of blade extensions, means connecting the laterally inner ends of said'blade extensions with the ends of said leveling blade for both hinging movement about vertical axes and for generally vertical movement along said axes, said blade extensions being swingable about said axes between a laterally outwardly extended position and a folded position in back of said leveling blade, and cooperating cam members carried at the rear side of said blade and on the rear sides of said blade extensions for raising the latter when they are swung into their folded position.

JESSE: G. LINDEMAN.

CURTIS V. EDWARDS.

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